Looks like PA is the home base Bob.
I decided to ask them directly to satisfy my curiosity. Here is their answer. They gave me permission to post:
Bob,
Natural Lands was founded in 1953 by a group of birdwatchers led by an unlikely hero, a mild-mannered accountant named Allston Jenkins. Their first conservation success was convincing Gulf Oil to deed 168 acres of prime bird habitat to the City of Philadelphia, foiling plans to fill the area with dredging material from the Schuylkill River. From that urban marshland—now the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge—emerged a conservation organization that would go on to save more than 125,000 acres, to date.
In the early days, the organization’s efforts went where they were needed most… even as far as Florida and Costa Rica!
We began working in New Jersey early on. In 1964, we celebrated the preservation of what was once called “Snow Goose Marsh,” an area of salt water wetlands along the New Jersey coast of Delaware Bay. At that time, nearly 30 percent of the global—and dwindling—population of migratory Greater Snow Geese spent their winters at these marshlands. The fledgling preserve was the result of a donation of several contiguous parcels, the smallest of which was a mere 1.6 acres. Despite its humble beginnings, Glades Wildlife Refuge is now the largest of Natural Lands’ preserves. Its 6,765 acres are the result of nearly five decades of patient, persistent acquisition of adjoining lands. The preserve is now a world-class birding destination with a thriving population of Bald Eagles and is a critical stopover for migratory shore birds.
These days, our area of focus has narrowed to eastern PA and southern NJ. We have long-established roots in those regions, with contacts at many regional grant foundations, municipal governments, and community residents.
I hope that helps answer your question.
Best,
Kirsten Werner
Director of Communications
